Defending Florida's Ecosystems & Communities

Environmental groups challenge the Corps’ decision to issue a dredge and fill permit under the Clean Water Act for the construction of a biotech facility in western Palm Beach County. The court invalidates the Corps’ decision finding that the agency failed to take the necessary “hard look” at the cumulative effects of the project under NEPA. The biotech facility is subsequently relocated to Jupiter and the former site (“Mecca Farms”) was later purchased by the SFWMD where it will be used to restore freshwater flows to the Loxahatchee River as part of Everglades restoration.